By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda

WBO#7 Kyotaro Fujimoto (20-1, 12 KOs), 233.5, kept his OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight belts when he lopsidedly whipped Thai challenger Suthat Kalalek (12-10, 11 KOs), 203.75, a determined left hooker, and finally had him retire on the stool after the sixth session in a scheduled twelve on Tuesday in Tokyo, Japan.

Though sweeping all rounds with his faster hand and foot, Kyotaro couldn’t connect with a lethal shot until he exploded a vicious countering right and badly floored him on the back in round six. Suthat desperately attempted to fight back hard, but he consumed all gas and declared in the corner that he was completely through.

Kyotaro has been unbeaten for some six years since his sole defeat by Solomon Haumono when he was still less experienced in the international game after his entry into the paid ranks from K-1. Kyotaro, a good footworker, has technically improved a lot afterward.

–